Apparatus for cracking hydrocarbons



'Dec.15,1925' 1.565.527 F. (3.. NIECE APPARATUS FOR CRACKING HYDROCARBONS Original Filed y 7. 1921 m, ,m 15 m 1 I II'J I I I n venfor:

Patented Dec. 15, 19 25.

UNITED STATES PATENT oFFicE.

FRED Gr. NIECE, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE INTERNATIONAL HOLDING COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

APPARATUS FOR CRACKING HYDROCARBONS.

Original application filed July 7, 1921, Serial No. 482,964. Divided and this application filed lhily 18,

[ all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRED G. N11201:, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Cracking Hydrocarbons, of which the following is a specification. v

This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for cracking hydrocarbons.

The rimary object of this invention is to devise ighly practical apparatus for subjecting a hydrocarbon oil heavier than gase line to such improved and novel treatment as to produce gasoline of better quality and in larger quantity per measure of heavier oil.

- Another object is to render said apparatus well adapted for obtaining a remarkably high percentage of saturated hydrocarbons, after having properly started the operation of the apparatus, without resorting to a hydrogen-supply source external to theliquid hydrocarbon to be cracked during said operation.

Another object is not only to produce apparatus of the character indicated for subjecting liquid hydrocarbon to the-heat of and within a molten body composed of lowmelting metal or material such, for instance, as lead heated to and not vaporizable at the required hydroearbon-cracking temperature, in a closed chamber having a vapor-outlet, but to have said apparatus comprise means whereby, during the subjection of gases and vapors issuing from heated liquid hydrocarbon to be cracked to the heat of and within said molten body, hydrocarbon vapors and gases which have passed uncondensed through a condenser of the apparatus, after having been subjected to the required hydrocarbon-cracking temperature, are subjected to the heat of and within said molten body.

Another object is to have said apparatus Well adapted for effecting such an extensive dissociation of the atomic constituents of molecules of hydrocarbon gases and vapors fr m the condenser, in such highly intimate or close association in the molten body with the cracking of the vapors and gases from heated liquid hydrocarbon heavier than gasoline, that a plentiful and economical supply of much needed free hydrogen is in- Serial No. 484,293.

sured without necessitating the employment of other hydrogen-supplying means.-

Another object is to have said apparatus comprise means whereby hydrocarbon gases and vapors from the condenser, and the liquid hydrocarbon to be cracked can be forced under a desirable pressure into the molten body, and more especially to provide simple'and eflicient means for maintaining said vapors and gases from the condenser, gases and vapors issuing from heated liquid hydroca. bon to be cracked, and vapors and gases formed during the subjection of hydrocarbons to the heat of and Within said molten body, in highly intimate or close association during said subjection of said bydrocarbons to the heat of and Within the molten body.

With these objects in view, and to attain any other object hereinafter appearing, this invention consists in certain features of construction, and combinations and relative arrangements of parts, hereinafter described in this specification, pointed out in the claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In said drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation. largely in section and partly diagrammatic, of my improved apparatus. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section taken along the line 2-2 in Fig. 1, looking downwardly. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken along the line in Fig. 1, looking upwardly.

Referring to said drawings, 5 indicates the casing of a heating furnace shown as comprising an oil-burner 6 arranged as required to have the flame or fire 7 issuing therefrom, during the operation of the furnace, enter the combustion and heating chamber 8 through an aperture 9 in the furnace-front. The forward portion of said chamber extends rearwardly from and abovethe aperture 9, and the rear portion of said chamberextends farther upwardly, as at 10, and discharges at its upper end into a flue 11 communicating at its lower end, as at 12. with a stack 13.

Surrounded by the portion of said chamber is a hydrocarbon-craeking recep tacle shown consisting of a base 15, a top section 16'and an intermediate section 1?. The base 15 is secured in place inany ap-.

proved manner, and thetop section 16 is above and externally of 'hire forsing 5. The intermediate section 17 ned by instance, as a diameter of from ten to twelve inches a height of from eight to twelve feet. of the main portion of the hydrocarboncraclrin'g chamber, and the base has a cavity 18 which forms the lower end of said chamber. The tube 17 communicates at its up; *1" end with the chamber 19 formed interiorly of the top section 16 and forming upper end portion of the hydrocarbon cracking chamber. Preferably adjacent ends of the base .15 and tube 17 are Welded to her, and adjacent ends of the top section 1% and tube 1? have external flanges 20 re movably secured together, as at 21, by bolts and nuts; The chamber 19 of the top section is closed at its-upper end by a head 22 removably secured to the body of said section by bolts and nuts, at Preferably the chamber 19 measures in diameter at its lower end substantially the same as the internal diameter of the tube 1'7, and is diametrically larger above its lower end portion. An outwardly and downwardly ere tending pipe 25, having a normally closed valve 526, communicates With the chamber at the lower end portion of said chamber. Within and centrally of the lower end portion of the hcreinbe'fore mentioned hydrocarbon-cracking chamber is a bell-shaped bafiic-ineinber 27 of steel. Said baiilc-mcmher is rigid with an upright tubular member 28 which has its upper portion arranged in tcrnally and centrally oi? said bathe-member and is threaded at its lower end into the base 15 The tubular member 28 discharges into the upper portion of the chamber 29 formed interiorl y of said baiiie-meinber, and communicates with a bore 30 formed in the base r A. pipe 31 for conducting fuel oil, or other liquid hydrocarbon to be cracked, extends from above and into the portion 10 or the heating chamber to' the base to which said pipe is secured. Said pipe 31 discharges tl gh the bore 530 into the tubular member The pipe 31 is shown covered, from the base if) to a point near the upper end of th portion 10 of the heating chamber, with licahrcsistiug material such, for instance, asbestos 32, and said pipe therefore has uncovered the upper end of its portion which extends through said chamber, so that the liquid oydrocmrbon is preparatoriiy heated but not overhear ted while being fed by said pipe. A. diagrzunmatically illustrated oil-punip 2-33, arran cd externally or the furnace, interposed between the pipe 31 and a pipe 3% for supplying liquid hydrocarbon Said tube forms the surrounding Wall 1 c 1 reces es;

to be cracked. Said pump is employed ix forcing liquid hydrocarbon from the oil supply pipe 34 into the pipe 31 which he: a diagrammatically illustrated check-valv 3.5 for preventing reflux of oil in said pipe.

A vapor-conducting pipe 36, forming tlu vapor-outlet of the hereinbefore mentionet hydrocarbon-cracking receptacle, communicat-es with the diametrically larger porti or of the chamber 19 in the section 16 of said receptacle and discharges into the vapor receiving upper end of the upright won! 3? of a condenser. Said condenser com prises a tank 38 containing said worm ant kept supplied with cold Water; 'Thelowel end of said Worm forms theoutlet' of th! condenser for the liquid or condensate re sulting from condensation of vapor insait worm and discharges into the upperportioi of a container or receiver 39 for receiving not only said condensate from the condenser but gases and vapors which have not bee] condensed in their passage through the con denser. A pipe 40, having a normally closed valve, 41, is arranged to conduct gases'anc' vapors from the upper end of and theretoix forms a vapor-outlet for the receiver 39mm a diagrammatically illustrated gas-pump is interposed between the pipe 40 and a pig n. and employedin forcing gases and vapor; into the pipe 44 from the pipe 40. A. 'pipi 4.5, employed in supplying external hydro carbon gas when des1red and having anorinally closed valve 46, communicates Witl the pipe 40 at a point between the valve 41 and the gas-pump 4&3. The receiver 39 ii provided with a drain-pipe 47 having :1 nor mally closed valve 48. The receiver '39 it! provided at its upper end with a pipe 4% havin j a normally closed valve 50 and employe when desired, in permitting the escape of spent or surplus gases from the re ceiver. 'l'he heal 22 of the top section it of the hydrocar on-cracking receptacle ii provided centrally with a chamber 5]., and the pipe 44 comprises a short pipe-section 52 discharging into said chamber and'connected by a union or coupling 53 with the remainder of said pipe. Three substantially corresponding vertical pipes 55 are secured in any approved manner. to the bottom 01 the chamber 51 and spaced circumferentially of the cent al portion of said bottom, as shown in Fig. 2, and communicate at their upper ends With said chamber and theretore in conuhunication with the pipe 414. The pipes 55 extend into the lower end portion of the hydrocarbon-cracking receptacle. The lower end portions of thepipes 55 extend through and below a perforated steel baiile-platc 56 arranged substantially horizontally over and near but spaced from the hell-shaped 'bailieuicniber 27. The baffleplate 56 is largely spaced, at and from to to bottom of its circumferential edge, from the surrounding wall of the hydrocarboncracking chamber'and (see Fig. 3) has several lugs 57 spaced circumferentially of said plate and arranged to cooperate with said wall in preventing horizontal displacement of said plate. Preferably the bathe-member 27 is smaller diametrically than the battleplate 56. The illustrated battle-plate 56 has a' central-hole or passage extending vertically through the plate and several holes or passages 59 formed in proximity to and spaced circumferentially of said central passage. The battle-plate 56 preferably flares downwardly from its central passage 58 and is welded to the ipes which are preferably in close proximity to the outer circumferential edge of said plate. The pipes 55 have their lower and discharging ends arranged under the baflle-plate 56 and over the bell-shaped bathe-member 27 and bent, as at 60, inwardly and toward a point which is below said pipes but central over said baflle-member. Obviously the battleplate 56 connects together and braces apart the lower end portions of the pipes 55, and.

said pipes are similarly connected together and braced apart in the upper end portion of the tube 17 by a perforated baffle-plate 61, and are furthermore connected together and braced apart at a point centrally between the battle-plates 56 and 61 by an intermediate perforated balile-plate 62. The bathe-plates 61 and (32 are therefore rigid with the pipes 55, and substantially correspond in dimensions, contour and construction, or characteristics, with the lower ballle-plate'fiti. By the hcrcinbet'ore described construction it will be observed that the pipes 55 ac supported from the bottom of the chamber 5] in the head 22, and that the battle-plates 56, G1 and 62 are connected to gether by and supported from said pipes and are instrun'lenlal "in preventing lateral swaying of the pipes.

The joints between coiziponent parts of the apparatus are rendered flnid-tight and furthermore torn'ied in such a manner as to withstand heat and strains to which said parts may be subjected, but n'ieans for forming such joints are too well known to require les-ri1nion and illustration in this specific-a tion. Also, in making said component parts, such metal or material as will withstand the heat and wear and tour to which said parts may be subjected is employed.

The hereinbeiore mentioned hydrocarboncrackin'; receptacle supplied with a lowuelting metal or material such. for instance, as lead which has a melting point lower than the hyiu'ocarbon-cracking temperature recui. ed to be established and mainta ned in said receptacle during the operation of the apparatus and is readily penetsable. in a molten oonditiomby hydrocarbon fluids-z and not vaporizable at said temperature. o; in-

dicates a molten column or body resulting from the melting of a mass of small pieces of solid lead supplied to the hydrocarboncracking receptacle preferably preparatory to the application of the head 22 ol said receptacle. In applyingsaid head 22 the pipes 5" and connected bathe-plates 56, Cl. and G2 are lowered into the tube 1.7. and. consequently into the molten body 63. P aid head 22, upon being secured in place, closes the upper end of the hydrocarbon-c;'acl;ing chamber, and preferably such a quantity of low-melting metal is introduced into sail chamber that, during the subjection of hydrocarbons to the heat otand within the molten body 63, the surface of said molten body is below the upper entremity oi the tube 17 and above the upper ha lie-plate (51 so that all of the battle-plates are arranged in and transversely of the molten body. lly the hereinbefore described construction and relative arrangement of parts it will be observed that the pipe 40. gas-pump 43, pipe 44-, pipe 52, chamber 51 and any pipe constitute means whereby vapors and gases accon'ipanyi-ng the condensate passing'into the receiver 39. may be supplied into the molten body 63 from the vapor-outlet of said receiver. The hereinbet'ore mentioned furnace is operated as required to heat the operating the oil-pump 33 and gas-pinup 4:3,

to force hydrocarbon gas from the pi e 1:5 to.

the pipe 44 and thence through the chamber :31 and pipes 55 into the lower portion of :bc molten body 63, and to force liquid hydrocarbon from the pipe 34 to the pipe 31 and through the chamber 29 in the balllemember 27 into the lower portion of said molten body, until the development, on the molten body, of a desired pressure preferably considerably greater, poi-square inch, than the pressure c:-;erted at the base of and by the molten body (33 per se. Hydrocarbon pumped from the pipe 45 in starting operation of the apparatus is to facilitate establishing the desired gas pressure, but the use of gas from said pipe 45 is not essential, because both valves 41 and i6 may be kept closed While pumping liquid hydrocarbon into the molten body 63 so as to per- I iao weasel? sure of one hundred and fifty pounds per Within said inner chamber into the square inch on the molten body 63 to be e"- tablished, then as soon as such pressure has developed -in the system comprising said apparatus the valve 416 is closed, ifnot alv ready closed, and the valve n opened and "left open for establishing a continuous carculation of hydrocarbon fluids in the systern. VViih a gas pressure of one hundred and fifty pounds per square inch on the molten body 63, and with the exertion by said i'nolten body per at its base of a pressure offorty pounds per square inch, the 011- amp 33 is operated as required to efi'ect it e delivery of liquid l'iydro'carlmn preferably under a pressure off about one hundred. and ninety pounds per square inch. and the gas-pump ii-3 is operated as required es and uncondensed body, and therefore is insured an adequate continuous delivery into the molten body, or" gases and. uncondcused vapors from the condenser and of liquid hydrocarbon from the --are continuously forced into said molpipe 31. That is, during the operation of the system liquid hydro arbon is continuously forced from the pipe 3% to the innerchuniher 529 and thence downmu'dly through said inner chamber into the lower portion of the molten body, and While liquid hydrocarbon is being forced from said inner chamber into said portion of; the molten" body gases and'vapors from the condenser body, and'vapors and gases (including gasoline vapors) continuously ascend to the sur face of said molten bodyand thence to the pipe 36 and are conducted by said pipe into the Worm 37 of the condenser! Distillate or;

liquid resulting from condensation of ya pors in the condenser and entering the receiver 39' is periodically drained through the pipe 47. Gases and uncondensed vapors disoharged into said receiver from the condenser are, by and during the operation of the gas-pump l3, supplied to the pipe 44 and thence forced into and through the chamber 51 and connected pipes 55 into the lower portion of the molten body 63. It will be observed that the uncondensed gases received by the chamber 51 in the head 22 serve to positively prevent overheating of said head.

The liquid l'iydrocarbon to be cracked, being heated in the pipe 81 Where the latter extends through the portion 10 of the furnace, is obviously discharged, in a heated condition, into the inner chamber 29, and, as said inner chomberis covered and surrounded by the molten body 63, the already heated liquid hydrocarbon is still further preparatorily heated internally of said inner chamber by heat transmitted through the walls of said inner chamber from sa d molten body and to such an extent that the hot liquid hydrocarbon, when it pessesirom body, has been heated. substantially to or somewhat above the melting no nt of lead orznatcrial composing the lnolten body so that said liquid hydrocarbon is clesirable condition or entering without chilling the molten body. Also: it will observed that vapors passing to and uneondoused through the condenscr'iroin hydrocarbon-cracking temperature nioilendiodywon 'u'lng member or receptech: and ui'zcon'ipanyiiw said rigors are not 0 l3; forced into the lower ortion oi the nw ten. i'md (323 but licaiei'h in their pass o iii-(High the chamber 5i and pipes 5.3, w a ieituperaturc substantially as high as the melting point oi the material coin- .posing the molten body, so that said vapors and are discharged in a dcsirtibly heated condition into the molten body The the heated liquid hydrocarbon forced into V inner chamber 29 is in the main still he (1 while passing from said chamber into the molten body as and ascends externally of the bamemieinber 27, and heated iiqunder said baiiie-platefroni the pipes i The discharge oi theliquid hydrocarbon" into the molten body at a point spaced clownwardly from the discharge of gases and repors from the pipes 55 ierrrnts a greater @rodoction of newly formed v'enors and gases issuing iroin said liquid hydrocarbon before any gases and vapors arising in the molten. body frornsaid liquid hydrocarbon 'hare ascended for enough to become intimately associated with vapors and gases discharged into the molten body from said pipes. discharging ends of said pipes 55 and t e downwardly flaring shape of the bathe-plate 56 are helpful in eli'ecting intimate as sociation of all hydrocarbons between said hafile'platc and the bailie-meinber 27, and more especially said baiiie-plate 5G eiieciiive in retarding the ascent of heated liquid hydrocarbon from between'said ballle-plate 56 and the birdie-member :27, and in a detei'r tion, under said plate 56, of intimately as sociatcd vapors and gases from the condenser and gases and vapors arising or issuing from said liquid hydrocarbon. Sub stantially all of the hydrocarbons under the bathe-plate 56 are compelled to pass from under said plate through the passages 56 and 59 in said plate into the molten mass The inward projection com? the.

"lower baflie'plate t; and in retarding the ascent of said liquid hydrocarbon from between said plates. Hydrocarbons between the bathe-plates 5(3 and 62 ascend to and through the holes or passages in the intermediate battle-plate 6:2. The upper battleplate 61 operates substantially the same as the intermediate bathe-plate 62 and is help;

ful in producing and maintaining an intimate association of hydrocarbons ascending toward said upper battle-platefrom the intermediate battle-plate. Obviously the bathe-plates 56, 61, and 62 constitute means whereby is eiiected a bathing, at different heights in the molten body and above all discharges of hydrocarbons into the molten body, of ascending hydrocarbons, because each bafiie-plate is instrumental in temporarily obstructing movement of ascending hydrocarbons inthe molten body. Hence by the battling means comprising the baffleplates 56, 61 and 62 is insured a highly intimate and close association of hydrocarbons between adjacent battle-plates and be tween the lower battle-plate and the bafiiemember 527 While said hydrocarbons are subjccted to the heat of and within the molten body. The hereinbefore described apparatus has been found highly practical for the economical production of gasoline of better quality and in larger quantity per measure of liquid hydrocarbon to be cracked. with no appreciable loss of material, and with little or no appreciable formation or accumulation of carbon in any portion of the apparatus. Furthermore, were an undesirable accumulation of carbon to occur in treating some hydrocarbons after operating the apparatus continuously for many days, said carbon will be found in a finely divided Y state and mainly, it not entirely. in the top section 16 of the hydrocurbon-cracking receptacle. The pipe 95 can be employed as an outlet for carbon in case of an undesir able accumulation oi carbon in said section 16. The base 15 of the 'hydrocarbon-cracking chamber is shown provided with a drainpipe 65 through which. upon opening a normally closed valve 66 with which said pipe is provided. the molten metal may be drained from said chamber. Obviously upon stopping the operation of the apparatus and ren'ioving the molten metal 63 through the pipe 65, only detachment of the pipe 36 from the section 16. and the required manipulation of the coupling 53 as required to separate the pipe-section 52 from the remainder of the pipe 44, are required to render said section 16 free to be hoisted and removed, for cleaning or other purposes,

upon detaching said section 16 from the tube 1 Also, only said manipulation of said coupling and detachment of the head 22 are required to render said head and connected pipes 55 and battle-plates 56, 61 and 62 free to be hoisted and removed.

Of considerable importance to the most highly successful operation'of the hereinbefore described apparatus are the hereinbeforc described means for temporarily obstructing movement of ascending hydrocarbons in the molten body 63 and thereby efl'ecting such a thorough and extensive cracking of gases and vapors from the condenser, in such intimate association in the molten body with other hydrocarbon vapors and gases being cracked in the molten body, that an adequate supply of much needed free hydrogen for producing saturated hydrocarbons without resorting to a hydrogencarbon to be cracked, and a larger production ofhigh grade gasoline than heretofore per measure of heavier 'liquid hydrocarbon to be cracked, are insured. Important to the efliciency of said apparatus is its suitability for an expeditious establishment, in the system and without the necessity of introducing an external pressure medium into the system, of a gas pressure considerably greater than the pressure exerted at its base by the molten body 63 per se, and to'force the hydrocarbons to be. cracked into the molten body under a pressure as great as the sum of the two pressures already mentioned in this sentence. Also meritorious is the hereinbefore described means of transmitting vapors and gases "From the condenser to the molten body 63 independently of the heated liquid hydrocarbon to be cracked, and the means whereby said liquid hydrocarbon is forced into an inner chamber 29 formed at the lower portion of and covered by and discharging into the molten body. Essential to said apparatus is its suitability for practising a hydrocarbon-cracking process in which. while the molten body 63 heated to the required hydrocarbon-cracking temperature is being p netrated by vapors and gases issuing from heated liquid hydrocarbon heavier than gasoline. is effected the penetration of said molten body by hydrocarbon gases and vapors which have passed into and uncondcnsed through a condenser of said apparatus after having been sub jected to said temperature.

The condensate accumulating in the condensate-collccting chamber formed by the receiver 39 of the hereinbefore described apparatus is a remarkably clean-appearing and at least translucent and sometimes transparent. liquid which. with great facility and at a remarkably low cost, is chemically treatable in any approved manner and some times requires only distillation and filtering supply source external to the liquid hydroor more, of the vapors and gases passing into said condensetc-collectirig chamber with the condensate consists of illuininents or unsaturated compounds (611E 11), that of vest importance therefore to e highlysuc cessful operation of my improved apparatus is any means whereby vapors and gases which have passed from the condenser into the condensatocollecting chamber may be fed or supplied from the vapor-outlet of 0 said chamber into e molten body Within and to the heat of Which other hydrocarbon is to be subjected, so that during the subjection of the lust-mentioned hydrocarbon to the heat of and within said molten body vapors and gases from the'vapor-outlet of tie condensate-collecting chember may be subjected to the heat of and Within said molten body and that therefore the vapors and gases fed from the condensate-collecting chamber into the molten body and newly produced hydrocarbon gases and vapors which have issued from liquid hydrocarbon fed into the molten body become intimately associated Within the molten body, and enough hydrogen is liberated during the operation of and within my improved hydrocarbon-credong system with out necessitatin any resort to a hydrogen-- supplying means external to the liquid hydrocarbon to be treated.

It will be observed that the hereinbefore described apparatus is more especially designed both for the subjection ct newly pro duced gases and vapors which have issued from heated liquid hydrocarbon to the heat of and within a molten body and for the subjection, to the heat of and Within said molten body, of the hereinbefore mentioned vapors and gases from the aforesaid condensate-collecting chamber, and the operation of said apparatus as hereinbefore described re- 4 suits in a highly economical production of gasoline in larger quantity and of higher saturation than heretofore.

Not unimportant also is the spacing of each bafileplate of the vertically spaced befli'e-pletes 56, 61. and 62 in. the main from the outer circumference of the molten body to permit surging or movement of molten metal up and down between the surrounding ivnll' of the molten-body-conteining chamber ind the outer circumferential edges of the bathe-plates during" ascent of hydrocarbons between adjacent bathe-plates and through the passages 58 and 59 in the said badleplates, and more especially to permit molten metal be descend the on or circumference of each heme-piste so that there is no lie bility of molten metal being, drivenor can:- ried or caused to to the vepor-outlet' d said chamber during an unduly vigorous ascent of molten-body-penetret1ng hydro carbons.

As hereinbefore indicated, my improved hydrocerbonecrecking apparatus more especielly comprises a, relatively tull hyrl carbon-cracking receptacle, 5:. s'e itiveiy high column of the molten lead or contactsub stance composing" the inoiten body 33 conteined in said receptacle, means whereby fresh hydrocarbons be delivered into the lower portion of and in. contuctwith said molten column; and means whereby noncondensible hydrocarbon gases already sub jeeted to a hydrocarbon-or clung temps eture of a former hydrocerbon-creclring tree? ment may be fed into the lower portion end into contact with said column, end therefore said non-condensible gases and the aforesaid fresh hydrocarbons are caused ascend e relatively loop; distanc in Contact with end within S; column. travel of said fresh hydrocarbons npn-condensible gases tl'iroug h suit inn 1n so as to uiiord ample opportunity ror inti mete association atoms compounds resulting from the cracking of said fresh hydro-carbons, with atoms lend compounds resulting from the cracking of the e'foresaid nonveondensible gases end so to result \in on epprecieble increase. Within seid column in the productio of hydro- Giirbon compounds capable or yielding, by subsequent condensation an increased measure of motor fuel or low boiling hydro carbons. I would also remark that by the provision. of means for feeding the uncondensed gases into the molten body from the condensate-collecting chamber the yield of gasoline is from three to ten per cent greater than it would he were uncondensed gases only feed into said molten body from a point in advance of said chamber.

The hydrocarbon-trenting ocess disclosed in this specification cit inied in s divisional application Serial llluinber 82; 964, for United States Letters Ffetent the date of filing said application being duly What I cleini is- 1. Apparatus of the character indicated comprising: a hydrocarbon-cracking receptools which has a vapor-outlet and comprises an interio'rly chambered heed arrange" to form a closure for the upper of'seid receptacle, a molten column contained in said receptacle and penetreble byhydrooerbone and not vaporizsble at the desired hydro carbon-cracking temperature, a sendenser meshs for feeding hydro carbon. genes-t vepors to said condenser from i i vapor-outlet, means whereby gases which have passed u'ucondcnsed through the con- :s-zer may be supplied to the interior chamber in the aforesaid head. an upright pipe placed in communication with said chamber aul extending into the aforesaid molten -oluu1n and comuumicatiugz at its lower end with said molten column. and means for delivering fl'8 l1 hydrocarbons into contact with and interiorly of said column at a point below said lower end of said pipe.

2. Apparatus, of the character indicated con'iprisine, a closed receptacle which has a vapor-outlet and an interiorly chai'nbered head and contains a molten body penetrable by hydrocarbons and not vaporizable at the required hydrocarlion-cracking temperature, a condenser for receiving hydrocarbon gases and vapors from said vapor-outlet, means whereby vapors and gases which have passed uncondenscd through the condenser maybe supplied to the interior chamber of the aforesaid head, pipes communicating with said chamber and spaced circumferentially 9 of the central portion of and rigidwith the bottom of saidcchamber and extending and discharging into the lower portion of the aforesaid molten body. and means whereby other hydrocarbon to the cracked may be supplied to said lower portion of the molten body.

3. Apparatus of the character indicated comprising a closed receptacle which has a vapor-outlet and contains a molten body penetrable by hydrocarbons under pressure and heated to but not vaporizable at' the required hydrocarbon-cracking temperature, means for supplying hydrocarbons to said molten body. and a downwardly flaring battle-plate arranged in and transversely of the molten body-and over the discharge of hydrocarbons into the molten body and having a central hole or passage adapted to permit hydrocarbons to pass upwardly through the plate.

Apparatus of the character indicated comprisinc a closed receptacle which has a vapor-outlet and contains a molten body penetrable by hydrocarbons under pressure and heated to but not vaporizable at the required hydrocarbon-cracking temperature. means for supplying hydrocarbons to said molten body, and a perforated battle-plate arranged in and transversely of'said m lten body and over the discharge of hydrocarbons into the molten body. said plate being spaced, at and from tcp to bottom of its circumferential edge, from the outer circumference of the molten body.

Apparatus of the character indicated comprising a closed receptacle which has a vapor-outlet and contains a molten body penetrable by hydrocarbons and not vaporizable at the required hydi'ocarbon-cracking temperature, a condenser, means for feeding hydrocarbon gases and vapors to said condenser from the aforesaid Vapor-outle', means for temporarily obstructing movement of ascending, hydrocarbons in the aforesaid molten body at a} point spaced upwardly from the. bottom of the molten body, means for injecting hydrocarbon oil into said molten body at' a point spaced downwardly from said obstructing means, and means for feeding uncondensedgases from the condenser into the molten bodybetwccn said obstructing means and the discharge from the oilinjecting means.

6. Apparatus of the character indicated con'iprising a closed receptacle which has a vapor-outlet and contains a molten bod-y pcnetrable by hydrocarl'ions under pressure and heated to but not vaporizable at the re quired hydrocarbon-eraclting temperature, a condenser for receiving hydrocarbon gases and vapors which have been subjected to said temperature. means whereby other hydrocarbon to be cracked may be supplied to the lower portion of the aforesaid molten body. a perforated bathe-plate arranged "in and transversely of said molten body and above the point at which the last-mentioned hydrocarbon is discharged into said molten body a pipe rigid with said baffle-plate and discharging into the molten body under said plate and supported from the aforesaid receptacle, and means whereby vapors and gases which have passed nncondensed through the condenser may be supplied through said pipe to the molten body.

7. Apparatus of the character indicated comprising a closed receptacle which is provided at its upper end with a head and has a vapor-(mtlet and contains a molten body penetrable by hydrocarbons under pressure and heated to but not vaporizab'le at the required liydi*ocarbon-cracking tenn perature. a condenser for receiving hydrocarbon ,e'ases and vapors which have been subjected to said ten'iperature, means where by other hydrocarliion to be cracked may be reapplied to the lower portion of the aforesaid n'mltcn body. a perforated battle-plate arranged in and transversely of said molten body and above the point at which the lastmentioned hydrocarhoi'i is discharged into the molten body. a pipe connected to the aforesaid head and extending through and supporting said bafiloplatc and discharging; at its lower eud into said u'ioltcn body. and means whereby vapors and gases which have passed uncondensed through the condenser may be supplied through said pipe to said molten body.

8. Apparatus of the character indicated comprising; a closed. receptacle which has a vapor-outlet and contains a molten body penetrable by hydrocarbons under pressure and heated to but not vaporizable at the required hydrocarbon-cracking temperature, a

. the

receiving hydrocarbon gases which have been suhjected to f .1 rasure, means whereby other hylion to be c 'nclzed may be supplied to e waver portion of the aforesa d molten i vertically sphced perforated battleiiJLZLl QS arranged in and transversely of said inoltcn body and above the point at which l:isl'--mentior.c l hydrocarbon is dis churned into the mo ten body, pipes extending: ti'niouph the battle-plates ht points K z-ircnmtcrentielly ot'the central portion o" the plates and having their lower c .ui'ncd' inwardiy and discharging into the :owciportion of the said molten body, and mezms whereby vapors and gases which have passed uncondensed through the condenser may be supplied through said pipes to sziid molten body.

9. Apparatus of the character indicated comprising hydrocnrbon-cracking receptacle 'egliich has as. vapor-outlet and contains n molten body penctruble by hydrocarbons and not venori ole at the required hydrocarbon-cracking: temperature, of condenser,

means for feeding hydrocarbon. gases and vapors to the condenser tromthe aforesaid vapor-outlet, an inner chamber formed Within and discharging into said molten body, means for feeding hydrocarbon into the exciton Jody through said inner chamber, and means for feeding", into said molten body end externally of said inner chamber, gases and vapors which have passed uncondensed through the condenser.

10. Apparatus of the character indicated minimising a. hydrocurbon-crncking receptacle which has a vapor-outlet and contains a molten body pcncti'nble by hydrocarbons and not 'ru tiorizable at the required hydrocarboncracking temperature, a condenser. means for feeding hydrocarbon gases and vapors to the condenser from the aforesaid vapor-outlet. a LOllflfiTISEltCCOllQCtlUQ chemlier arranged to receive condensate and zwcoinpan 'ingz vapors and gases from the c ndenser and. having" a vapor-outlet, an inner chamber formed at the lower portion of and dischurgin; into the aforesaid molten body, menus for supplying a hydrocarbon to said 'inner chamber. and menus for feed ing, into said molten booy and externally it saw inner chamber. vapors and gases J. (Ll G il'liOl'l It V21 )Ul'-()ll B O l e COn- "1 1 lb cs 1d tlt f th densetc-collecting chamber.

31. in zinmratus or? the character indiu e rated, the combination, "with a closed receptacle having vapor-outlet and COIlilfllDlIlg]; u moltehmpdy which is penetrablc by hydrocarbons and not veporlzoble at the required igsens'er hydrocarbon-cracking temperature, said receptacle having a closed chamber which is spaced upwardly from said molten body and also having a chamber which is formed at the lower end portion of and discharges into said molten body, of meansfor supplying gases under pressure into the first-mentined chamber, means "for feeding gases from said first-mentioned chamber into the aforesaid molten body. and means Wherebyle hydrocarbon may be delivered through the secondiuentioned chamber into said molten body.

. 12. Apparatus of the chsracterindicated comprising a hydrocarbon-cracking recep "taclc which has a vapor-outlet and contains a molten body penetrable by hydrocarbons and not vaporizsble at the required hydro; carbon-cracking temperature, on inner chamber within the lower portion of said molten body and discharging at, its lower end into the molten body, means for forcing liquid hydrocarbon into said chamber, an upright' hydrocarbon-feeding pipe externally of said inner chamber and internally -oi' the hydrocarbon-cracking receptacle and discharging into the lower portion'of and extending above said molten body, and a perforated bsfiieplute connected to said pi at a height above the discharge from said pipe into the molten body and arranged in und transversely of the molten body and spaced in the main from the outer circumference of the molten body.

13. Apparatus of the character indicated comprising a hydrocarbon-cracking receptucle which has a vapor outlet and-comprises un interiorly chambered head arranged to form a closure for theupper end of said receptacle, molten column contained in said receptacle and penetrable by hydrocarbons and not vuporizable at the desired hydrocarbon-crackin; temperature, a condenser, means for feeding hydrocarbon gases and vapors to the condenser from the aforesaid vapor-outlet o condensate-collecting chamber for receiving condensate and accompanying gases -from the condenser, means for feeding gases from said condensni c-collcctinu chamber to the interior chembcr ot the aforesaid heed. means for supplying gases from the lust-mentioned chambeer to the interior of and into contact withthe aforesaid molten column, and means for delivering fresh hydrocarbons into contact with and. interim-1y of the lower portion of said molten column. i

In testimony whereof, I sign the foregoing specification, this 11th day of July, 1921.

FRED G. NIECE. 

